Defeat Question 3

"First do no harm," an essential part of the Hippocratic oath taken by physicians, is a model that society fails to heed over and over again as we tackle the evolving issues of the human condition.

By LINELL GRUNDMAN

capecodtimes.com

By LINELL GRUNDMAN

Posted Oct. 31, 2012 at 1:30 PM

By LINELL GRUNDMAN
Posted Oct. 31, 2012 at 1:30 PM

» Social News

"First do no harm," an essential part of the Hippocratic oath taken by physicians, is a model that society fails to heed over and over again as we tackle the evolving issues of the human condition.

In November, the commonwealth faces ballot Question 3 that, if passed, would legalize marijuana for medical use. Just like four years ago, when we decriminalized a small amount of marijuana after being warned by prosecutors and policymakers not to do so, we face public policy that, to use an old phrase "throws the baby out with the bath water" on many levels.

We need to vote this ballot question down and force both the state legislators and our federal government to take responsibility for appropriate public policy regarding marijuana for medical use that does not put public safety and public health at risk.

The measure purports to be about medical care only. But in the states where marijuana has been made legal for so-called medical use, the same flawed public policy has led to increased use of marijuana by youth, increased crime, and many other social negatives.

Take a look at California and Colorado and see how similar legislation has affected public health and public safety. Go to the Mass. Prevention Alliance and look at the statistics. In states where marijuana has experienced this kind of deregulation, you will see increased use of marijuana and other drugs because when the clinics open the street price of marijuana goes down.

Statistics bear out that youth begin using marijuana and other drugs at younger ages, which increases greatly their chances of addiction. You will see increased crime. You will see in some cases entire communities ruined.

A citizen initiative brought this ballot question to us. It is unique because, with its passage, citizens are approving drug intervention without benefit of the FDA testing the substance like it does for all other pharmaceuticals. Also unique is the fact that because this is citizen-initiated legislation with no amendments offered by our state legislators, though they had the opportunity, it did not have the same oversight the normal legislation process provides. We are stuck with legislation that, if passed, would be put into law Jan. 1. It will be implemented by the state Department of Public Health, which had no input into the broadly written legislation.

As with the 2008 marijuana ballot question, there will be no real enforcement methodology. Already beleaguered police departments will be forced to investigate situation after situation, spending time and money. Other services related to public safety will not be delivered. There is no money to go with this broad change of public policy. Funding to cover the problems created will have to come from the budgets of other municipal government services.

As a six-year sitting selectman, I am all too aware that the buck really does stop in municipal government. In addition to this being terrible public policy, it is yet another unfunded mandate, which makes it harder for struggling municipal governments to manage their resources. It sends the wrong message to our kids about a dangerous drug. I want people to get care and relief from pain, but this is not the way. Please vote no on Question 3 and force better public policy to tackle the issue of medical marijuana.

Linell Grundman is a Sandwich selectman and member of the Sandwich Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force.